An Apprenticeship to Remember

[DANI DRAKE]

Dani smiled wider with Sam’s soft laughter, taking a bite of her sandwich. There were few things more satisfying than good conversation with a side of a good meal. “That would be a little weird. But only because you are my boss, and everyone would think I was sucking up to you.” Dani nodded and shrugged her shoulders as she chewed. It might be misconstrued that way, but they didn’t have to tell anyone about their friendship outside of work. She was very good at keeping to herself and she had a feeling he was too. Heck, she’d be extra careful for a chance to get to know someone she felt so completely comfortable with. Just as she was about to suggest that, he spoke again and she swallowed her mouthful of Rueben. “But I’d like that. Going riding…I haven’t taken Mahatma out since I’ve been back and it’s never the same riding someone else’s horse. Would it be weird to ask we not tell the office? In case they get the wrong idea about me.” She smiled wide at his wrinkled nose, shaking her head. Of course that wasn’t weird! It was perfectly understandable. “And you have to promise no special treatment because we’re riding partners. I’ve had enough special treatment because of who I am. I’d like very much if you judged me on my merit and not because we’re friends. Or riding partners…or…whatever this arrangement is exactly.” His big smile made her feel strangely warm and she gave a soft laugh at his slight awkwardness. It was cute and endearing, though saying that she thought so might be weird.

“Well I’d definitely like our arrangement to be friends. It’s hard for me to feel at ease around new people, but you’re different. You just have an air about you, I guess.” She gave a brighter smile, but complimenting him made her cheeks flush. It was a little embarrassing to admit that she already felt a little attached to this guy she’d just met this morning. Was it normal to make friends so fast? “I agree that we should keep it out of the office, though. I promise to give you no special treatment in the office as long as you promise not to give me any outside of the office.” She lowered her head slightly, giving him an insistent look over her eyebrows as she pointed a finger at him with a playful warning. “I don’t want to be treated like your boss when we’re outside of work. I’ve had enough of that special treatment too. It would be nice to be treated like a normal twenty-something for a change.” Smiling wider, she took another bite of her sandwich. She considered her words, though, and realized she’d made a surprising admission about herself—she never really felt normal even though she wanted it so desperately. Her brow furrowed as she chewed and she tilted her head to the side as she considered her companion. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who knew what that felt like—wanting to be normal. Most of the people I’ve known who grew up like us like being treated better and being above everyone else. A lot of them are nice, but they’re snobs. It’s nice to meet someone else who doesn’t think like that.” Her smile was wide and warm but again she felt a little embarrassed. Maybe this time it was because he smiled and she noticed how attractive he was. She took another bite of her sandwich to avoid eye contact for a moment.

“So it’s a deal then. We’ll go riding together this coming Saturday. I keep Silver at my private stables over near Megsy back where the trails start up through the woods. Is that too far to bring Mahatma? If it is, I can bring Silver to your stables.” She wasn’t sure where the Holder family stables were, but they couldn’t have been terribly far. It would be easy enough to move Silver, perhaps permanently. She made enough money from the Drake stables to support rent at another stable if it made hers and Sam’s new arrangement more possible. The prospect of making a new friend, especially someone she got along with as well as she got along with Sam was exciting and she knew she would be smiling about it long after they had to trudge back to work.

[SAM HOLDER]

“Well I’d definitely like our arrangement to be friends. It’s hard for me to feel at ease around new people, but you’re different. You just have an air about you, I guess.” Her bright smile made him smile as well, if not a little bashfully. It was a kind thing to say, and he felt strangely drawn to her compliments. “I agree that we should keep it out of the office, though. I promise to give you no special treatment in the office as long as you promise not to give me any outside of the office.” His grin bloomed further and he nodded. “I don’t want to be treated like your boss when we’re outside of work. I’ve had enough of that special treatment too. It would be nice to be treated like a normal twenty-something for a change.” Her words sunk in and for the first time he realized she was very young to be in such a heavy job, and that she might not like the responsibility as much as one might think. She was missing out on her youth in many ways, working such a demanding job. "That's fair." He said softly

Dani's brow suddenly furrowed and she tilted her head to the side Making Sam give her a curious look. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who knew what that felt like—wanting to be normal. Most of the people I’ve known who grew up like us like being treated better and being above everyone else. A lot of them are nice, but they’re snobs. It’s nice to meet someone else who doesn’t think like that.” Again she caught him off guard. She had a point. Most wealthy youths felt entitled, but Sam knew a lot of that had to do with their upbringing. His grandfather had taught him to respect those around him and be appreciative of his stature in life. He also knew that he was supposed to be some regular Joe, but due to some shady work of his grandfather he had been awarded every luxury money could buy if he so desired it. It certainly helped that his grandfather was a tightwad all things considered, but still he appreciated the compliment and again nodded at her. "We're a rare commodity." He teased, though they both knew it to be true.

“So it’s a deal then. We’ll go riding together this coming Saturday." This Saturday? Sam quickly ran through his mental schedule to make sure this was alright. No red flags popped up, other than dinner at his dads, but they would be done by then for sure. "I keep Silver at my private stables over near Megsy back where the trails start up through the woods. Is that too far to bring Mahatma? If it is, I can bring Silver to your stables.” He shook his head. "No, that's fine. I know the stables you're talking about. We've been there before, and it's been ages since I've rode there. It's beautiful." He offered. "We can meet you there at ten thirty." He suggested, and Dani quickly agreed, making Sam feel excited and anxious for the weekend to come. He'd been to work all of four hours and already had plans to go riding with his boss. No. With Dani. He told himself he needed to try not to think of her that way, otherwise he'd be in trouble. The rest of the conversation flowed as easily as the beginning had, and Sam found himself relaxing more in her presence. He needed a friend, and it seemed like Dani Drake was a good one to have. Now if he could only manage to keep his cool on Saturday..

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